Suspect charged in auto thefts here

Lewisburg Police this week were still counting up theft charges against a man who moved here from East Tennessee last fall and is charged in a crime spree that started about April 1.

David Andrew Campbell, 26, was scheduled for an initial appearance before Marshall County General Sessions Court Judge Steve Bowden Tuesday on an auto theft charge, Police Detective Jimmy Oliver said Monday.

Oliver said more charges were documented as police continued to talk with Campbell, most involving car burglaries.

Chief Chuck Forbis said most, if not all, of the crimes could have been prevented.

"Folks are leaving their cars unlocked -- which is one thing. But then they leave valuables inside, and that's what this guy was doing, looking for unlocked cars and he found no shortage," Forbis said. "So that's one of our messages. Even in a nice community like ours, don't leave valuables inside."

Campbell's arrest was the result of a joint effort between detectives and uniformed officers, Forbis said.

The arrest took place one week ago today. Campbell is charged with stealing a 1998 Mercury Moun-taineer from the White Drive area, police said in a prepared statement. The vehicle was recovered at the parking lot of Summit House Apartments.

On that Wednesday last week, Officers Kevin Clark and Seth Feinson found the stolen Mercury Mountaineer. While they were at the SUV, a woman approached and spoke with them and ultimately told Officer Denise Savage where Campbell went, Oliver said.

"Sgt. Jerry Broyles' shift broke the case," Oliver said, adding that while investigators were developing cases, they soon found themselves resolving paperwork to document the charges.

Oliver said he was connecting Campbell to burglaries, as was Detective Santiago McKlean.